North Korea Fires 200 Artillery Shells

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Global Recap
January 05, 2024 • Read in: 8 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

Maybe Kim wanted some attention from the US.

Maybe he was just bored.

Amidst global focus on the Middle East, North Korea throws a dangerous tantrum for the world’s attention.

🌐 Around the world:

  • 🇨🇳 China: Hit by Myanmar.

  • 🇰🇵 North Korea fires 200 shells near the border.

  • 💣 ISIS claims responsibility for Iran bombings.

  • 🃏 Lukashenko summons a get-out-of-jail-free card.

  • 🎓 With two university presidents down, pressure’s mounting for the last one remaining.

Let’s get into today’s news.

🇰🇵 North Korea Fires Artillery

On Friday, North Korea launched a barrage of over 200 artillery shells towards two nearby South Korean islands, sparking a tense standoff.

South Korea responded with its own live-fire drills and evacuated the islanders to shelters.

  • Reaction: China urged restraint and dialogue, while the US expressed support for its ally South Korea.

🇨🇳 China Hit by Myanmar

China is furious after five people were injured by artillery shells that landed in a border town during a clash between Myanmar’s junta and rebel groups.

The incident sparked a fiery protest from Beijing, which demanded an immediate ceasefire and preventive measures.

  • Conflict: Fighting has intensified in northern Myanmar since late October, displacing over 660,000 people. A total of 2.6 million are thought to have been displaced.

  • History: This is not the first time that stray shells from Myanmar have hit China. In 2015 and 2009, similar incidents caused injuries and refugee influxes.

🇮🇷 Iran VS ISIS

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the grave of Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani, in Kerman, Iran, January 5, 2024.

Well, many thought it was Israel or the US. But it ended up being ISIS.

After two deadly explosions rocked Iran on Wednesday, killing nearly 100 people at a memorial service for a slain general, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.

  • Suspects: Iran’s interior minister said several people linked to the blasts have been arrested in five cities in five provinces.

  • Reactions: Iran’s president and Revolutionary Guards commander vowed to retaliate against the “terrorists.”

🇧🇾 Lukashenko Makes Himself Immune

Belarusian President Lukashenko (L) shaking hands with Russian President Putin (R).

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has signed a law that forever shields him and his family from any legal consequences.

A get-out-of-jail-free card?

At this point, why not?

Not gonna lie… Lukashenko kinda looks like him.

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United States

Two Presidents Down; All Eyes Are On MIT Now.

President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sally Kornbluth

🎓 University Presidents Under Fire. A month ago, three university presidents faced congressional questioning over antisemitism on their campuses since the Israel-Hamas war.

In case you haven’t read it:

Now, only one remains in position - MIT President Sally Kornbluth.

And the pressure is on.

🤐 What’s the Controversy Again? All three leaders refused to detail whether calling for the genocide of Jews on campus violated their policies against bullying and harassment.

📝 Kornbluth’s Stand. Kornbluth distinguished between speech and conduct, suggesting that calling for the genocide of Jews would violate the college’s rules “if targeted at individuals.”

Honestly, it is baffling how “targeting” is the differentiating factor.

So for example, if one is to yell racial slurs and call for the genocide of black people or Asians in general, it’s not against the school’s code of conduct?

A day after Dr. Gay resigned…

📣 Kornbluth Responds. She may have felt the pressure from all around her after her fellow presidents had all lost their jobs. Or maybe it’s just a coincidence….

In an open letter to the MIT community, Kornbluth outlined “new steps for a new year,” noting that the university will spend the year resolving key issues, with the hope of making significant progress by the end of the semester.

It outlines 4 different steps the MIT will take:

  1. Benchmarking and improving student disciplinary processes

  2. A shared understanding of the rights and responsibilities of free expression

  3. Making sure DEI programs effectively meet campus needs

  4. Targeted questions in a campus-climate survey